Aadsa
Significant practices in the life of adherents
The Hajj is an obligation which fulfils one of the five pillars of Islam required of a Muslim at least once in a lifetime for those financially and physically able “those who can make their way there”.
It is a faithful submission to the will of Allah. “And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah” – Surah 3:96.
Before embarking pilgrims must:
- Redress all wrongs
- Organise funds for the journey and for the family in their absence
- Prepare themselves for good conduct during the Hajj
The journey
Pre:
- Fasting (Sawm)
- Almsgiving (Zakat)
- Five daily prayers (Salat)
- Wear Ihram garments
Umra:
- Perform Tawaf at the Ka’ba (reciting “Here I am at your service, O Allah. Here I am!” while circling 7 times) to awaken consciousness of Allah as the centre of faith and reality
- Trim hair and remove Ihram garments
Day 1 :
- Hajj begins officially on 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah
- Wear Ihram garments and say dawn prayers
- Leave Mecca to arrive at Mins before noon
Day 2:
- Leave Mina for Mt. Arafat
- “the Day of standing”; stand on mountain from noon to sunset reading the Qur’an and asking for forgiveness
- All chant the Talbiyah: “Bayak! Labayak!” (I am here! I am ready”)
- Sermon on the mount, where Mohammed said his last sermon
Day 3:
- Feast of Sacrifice: the end of Hajj and celebration of Eid al-Adha
- Leave Musdalifa for Mina
- Jamra (throwing 7 pebbles at the largest of three pillars, symbolises throwing stones at the devil)
- The nahr: a sheep, cow or camel is sacrificed to represent Allah replacing Abrahams son Isaac with a sheep to be sacrificed
Day 4:
- After another night at Mina day 3 is repeated
Day 5:
- Travel back to Mecca
- Perform final Tawaf
- Leave for home or to visit Prophets Mosque at Medina
• With all rites performed, pilgrims have earned the right to be called al-Hajj or al-Hajji
How the Hajj expresses the beliefs of Islam
The Hajj is an obligation which fulfils one of the five pillars of Islam required of a Muslim at least once in a lifetime for those financially and physically able “those who can make their way there”.
It is a faithful submission to the will of Allah. “And pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah” – Surah 3:96.
Before embarking pilgrims must:
- Redress all wrongs
- Organise funds for the journey and for the family in their absence
- Prepare themselves for good conduct during the Hajj
The journey
Pre:
- Fasting (Sawm)
- Almsgiving (Zakat)
- Five daily prayers (Salat)
- Wear Ihram garments
Umra:
- Perform Tawaf at the Ka’ba (reciting “Here I am at your service, O Allah. Here I am!” while circling 7 times) to awaken consciousness of Allah as the centre of faith and reality
- Trim hair and remove Ihram garments
Day 1 :
- Hajj begins officially on 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah
- Wear Ihram garments and say dawn prayers
- Leave Mecca to arrive at Mins before noon
Day 2:
- Leave Mina for Mt. Arafat
- “the Day of standing”; stand on mountain from noon to sunset reading the Qur’an and asking for forgiveness
- All chant the Talbiyah: “Bayak! Labayak!” (I am here! I am ready”)
- Sermon on the mount, where Mohammed said his last sermon
Day 3:
- Feast of Sacrifice: the end of Hajj and celebration of Eid al-Adha
- Leave Musdalifa for Mina
- Jamra (throwing 7 pebbles at the largest of three pillars, symbolises throwing stones at the devil)
- The nahr: a sheep, cow or camel is sacrificed to represent Allah replacing Abrahams son Isaac with a sheep to be sacrificed
Day 4:
- After another night at Mina day 3 is repeated
Day 5:
- Travel back to Mecca
- Perform final Tawaf
- Leave for home or to visit Prophets Mosque at Medina
• With all rites performed, pilgrims have earned the right to be called al-Hajj or al-Hajji
How the Hajj expresses the beliefs of Islam